Chapter 8
Emily's POV
Morning sunlight streamed through the windows as I sat alone in my room at Oak Manor, fingers lightly tracing the expensive packaging of Marianne's "welcome gift." The high-end skincare products came with a handwritten note expressing concern for my health and welcoming me "properly" to the family. I allowed myself one brief moment of genuine softness, feeling the weight of the expensive glass bottle in my hand before quickly scanning the room for hidden cameras.
Nice try, Marianne.
I knew exactly what this was—an attempt to recruit me against Stefan. The timing was too convenient, arriving just after Stefan had left for New York to attend his actor friend's party. I'd been alone in this massive house for three days now, sleeping on the small sofa despite the ache in my back and shoulders. The physical distance helped maintain my emotional distance—essential for keeping my plan on track.
"Let Stefan marry to distract him from opposing his father," I murmured, remembering the hushed conversation I'd overheard between two maids days earlier. "The young master and old man's conflict has lasted ten years already..."
I pulled my notebook from beneath the mattress and jotted down this information. What had prompted Stefan to interfere with his father's senatorial campaign a decade ago? Whatever it was, the wound remained raw enough that his father still kept him confined to Oak City as punishment.
After finishing my notes, I changed into a simple gray skirt and cream blouse—professional attire for a psychology consultant. I moved quietly down the grand staircase, hoping to slip out unnoticed.
"Mrs. Ashford, are you going out?" Jonathan materialized at the bottom of the stairs, his posture impeccable as always.
I offered a gentle smile. "Yes, I have therapy sessions with patients today."
His eyes crinkled with concern. "The weather report says temperatures will drop significantly. Master Stefan specifically instructed me to look after you."
My heart did something stupid—it actually fluttered. Stefan's words were always cold and dismissive, yet he'd thought about my wellbeing before leaving. The contradiction fascinated me.
Jonathan handed me a package. "Master Stefan prepared these for you before his departure."
I unwrapped it to find the ugliest brown bear scarf and gloves I'd ever seen. My lips twitched as I remembered our shopping trip when I'd expressed interest in dog-themed accessories. This was clearly his idea of a joke.
"He's deliberately messing with me," I thought, surprised by the warmth spreading through my chest.
---
In the car, I pushed thoughts of Stefan aside and focused on my tablet, checking the university website for updates on Kate. The screen confirmed what I'd been waiting for: "Thesis under review for suspected plagiarism, degree status pending investigation."
I scrolled through comments from Oak City's elite circles: "Professor Rogers' daughter caught plagiarizing? How disappointing!"
My phone vibrated continuously—twenty-seven missed calls from Kate and a string of increasingly threatening texts: "You bitch, I know you're behind this!"
I silenced the phone, my heart rate steady. "The scandal is creating more impact than anticipated. Kate must be absolutely frantic by now." Her social media showed desperate attempts to defend herself, claiming she was "framed by jealous classmates." The growing suspicion in her tone told me she was beginning to connect the dots back to me.
"Perfect timing for today's meeting," I thought, tucking my phone away.
---
The driver dropped me off at the entrance of the high-end office building. "Thank you. I'll meet you here in an hour," I said, my voice professional but gentle.
In the elevator, I took a deep breath, clipping my certification to my blouse. When I entered the consultation room, I greeted my elderly patient with genuine warmth.
"Mr. Hansen, it's good to see you again."
For the next hour, I was fully present as a therapist, completely separated from my personal agenda. "Your grief after losing your wife is entirely normal," I explained gently. "Let's focus on remembering the beautiful moments you shared to ease this pain."
Working with Mr. Hansen reminded me why I'd chosen psychology—the genuine desire to understand human behavior and help others navigate their emotions. For that brief period, I wasn't Emily the avenger, but Dr. Eugins, the professional who truly cared.
After the session, I checked my phone again. Kate's messages had escalated: "You worthless piece of trash! I KNOW you did this!"
I called her back, immediately switching to my "vulnerable" voice. "Kate? You were looking for me?"
Her shriek nearly shattered my eardrum. "You worthless piece of shit! I know you did this!"
I made my voice tremble slightly. "I-I don't understand what you're talking about..."
"Don't play dumb!" she screamed. "You deliberately planted plagiarized content in my thesis! My degree and reputation are ruined!"
I assessed the situation calmly despite her rage. "Maybe we could meet to talk about this? I'd really like to help if I can..."
---
I selected a corner table near the window at Maple Café, ordering an Americano with oat milk while discreetly confirming that Stefan's two security guards were positioned as instructed—one near the entrance, one by the restrooms.
Kate stormed in, rage radiating from her entire body. "You manipulative bitch!" she hissed, charging toward me.
I instinctively backed away, allowing genuine fear to flash across my face. The reaction wasn't entirely fake—Kate had physically hurt me before.
As Kate reached for my collar, the security guards swiftly intervened, restraining her arms.
"Let go of me!" she struggled, spitting venom. "You little parasite! They should have poisoned you properly years ago!"
My eyes turned cold for a split second before I recovered my frightened expression. "Kate, please calm down," I pleaded, voice shaking.
When the guards forced her into the chair across from me, I signaled them to step back but remain alert. I needed this conversation to happen.
"Like five years ago," I said softly, "when I was fostered with your family. That second year, when I suddenly got poisoned and hospitalized..."
Kate's bitter laugh cut me off. "That was just a food allergy, you pathetic attention-seeker."
I pulled out my tablet, keeping my voice gentle. "About your thesis, I found something concerning."
I showed her two documents side by side. "This is the original draft I helped you with, and this is the published version. Someone altered the core data."
I pointed to a specific section. "See this citation? It's completely different—clearly modified to include plagiarized content."
I pretended to think deeply. "Could someone be jealous of your achievements and trying to frame you?"
Kate gradually calmed down, her anger giving way to consideration. "Are you saying someone hacked my account?"
I nodded slowly, watching her take the bait. "That seems most logical, doesn't it?"
As Kate began to believe my fabricated theory, I kept my expression sympathetic while satisfaction bloomed inside me. The seeds of doubt I'd planted would now grow, directing her suspicion away from me and toward others in her social circle—exactly as I'd planned.
"Let me help you figure this out," I offered, already anticipating my next move.